I want...

En teoría mñana abren la nueva tienda de Stradivarius en Buenavista, acá en la Ciudad de México. Ésta es la única tienda de Inditex que no había llegado a nuestro país y también es mi favorita (no sólo por la referencia al laudero barroco, de hecho me volví súper fan el otoño pasado en Barcelona), es bastante barata, stylish y es TAN mi estilo (hasta los básicos, así que imagínense). Hay esta y otra tienda más en México, en Parque Tezontle (Si me preguntan "¿en dónde es Parque Tezontle?" la respuesta sería en el mundo de los emoticons o.O, o "no tengo la menor idea), pero la de Forum Buenavista es muy céntrica y está cerca del tren suburbano, el metrobús y el metro. Así que es perfecto ¿no?
Como sea miren algunas cosas que muero por comprar:

In theory tomorrow will open the brand new Stradivarius store in Buenavista, Mexico City. This is the only Inditex store that hasn't arrived to Mexico and it also is my favorite one (not only for the reference to the baroque violin maker, actually I became a total fan last autumn in Barcelona), it's very cheap, stylish and SO my style (even the basics, so you can imagine). There is only another one here in Mexico in Parque Tezontle ("Where is Parque Tezontle?" you may ask, and the answer in the world of emoticons would be o.O, or "I don't have the slightest idea"), but this one in Forum Buenavista is very centric and near the train, metrobus and subway. Perfect, isn't it?
Anyway, I'm dying to shop some styles there and here I share them with you:

Y al final, ¿qué opinan ustedes de esta marca?

So, what do you think about this brand?

Chequen la página de Stradivarius.

Check out the Stradivarius website.

If this is not cute, then I know nothing about cuteness

Hay bien pocas cosas más lindas que los tonos technicolor, el styling retro y el look naïve de Elle Fanning.

There are very few thing cuter than this technicolor colours, the retro styling and the naïve look of Elle Fanning.

Self Service Magazine No. 36

Photography Venetia Scott / Styling Beth Fenton / Model Elle Fanning

 

I want everything from The Body Shop

Tengo dos preguntas muy importantes: ¿Por qué las tiendas de The Body Shop huelen a fresitas? Y, ¿Cómo le hacen para que uno entre a la tienda y salga con 4 cosas extra que no necesitaba?
Bueno, tengo algunas teorías:
1. El dueño es Voldemort y usa magia que hace que quieras todo.
2. El olor a fresitas te derrite el cerebro.
3. Que tengan tantos probadores te hacen adicta antes de comprar el producto.
4. Mientras el envase sea más pequeño, más ganas tienes de comprarlo.
Como sea, el punto es que hoy en la tarde entré a un The Body Shop buscando comprar una body butter y un delineador líquido (porque el mío ahora me hace llorar y me siento un tanto ridícula luciendo como en comedia romántica pero sin una versión joven de Hugh Grant), pero salí con dos Body Butters de cocoa, dos Born Lippies y una bolsa de la bandera de Inglaterra. Y sin delineador.
Les dejo la advertencia: esa tienda es la máxima perdición. Y me encanta.

I have two important questions: Why do The Body Shop stores smell like strawberry shortcake? And, how do they do it for me to get in the store and buy 4 extra things I didn't need?
I have some theories:
1. The owner is Voldemort and with magic he makes us want everything.
2. The strawberry shortcake smell melts your brain.
3. All the testing makes you feel addict to the product before buying it.
4. The smallest the container, the more you want it.
Well, I'm quite sharp, you cannot deny it.
Anyway, the point is that this afternoon I got in a Body Shop looking for a body butter and a liquid eyeliner ('cause mine makes me cry and I feel kind of ridiculous looking like in a romantic comedy but without a young version of Hugh Grant), but I left with two cocoa butter Body Butters, two Born Lippies and an England flag reusable bag. And with no liquid eyeliner.
I tell you: this store is the absolute doom. And I love it.

Fashionable Ride

Todos deberíamos andar en bici así. Bueno, al menos yo le echo ganas.

We all should ride like this. Well, at least I try.

Fashionable Ride

Vogue Girl Korea, May 2012

Models Bak Ji Won, Lee Seung Mi, Gwak Ji Young, Kin Han Soo, Gwak Ho Bin, Jeon Su Min

Youngster Guide to Classical Music #1

Yes, this is the first post for you (and everyone and anyone) can become closer to classical music and enjoy it (I hope) as much as I do. Some friends have asked how to approach classical music. Well, I think you must not simply go to any concert or opera you find randomly, especially if you have never done so before: you'll get tired and bored and feel that you hate classical music and you will not wanna listen to it again. I believe you should have an explanation and an approach before going to a long concert and so you'll understand it for better enjoying.

Ready? Well, let's get started:

Do you remember this from last January?

Well, probably as watching the livestream I was the only one of my friends super excited for the baroque soundtrack. So here's the question: What the hell were we listening to?

It was a song from Purcell's semi-opera "King Arthur" known as "The Cold Song" or "What power art thou". And here we start with problems: Purcell? Semi-opera?! I can imagine some of you running in circles, but don't worry I shall explain.

First, King Arthur.

King Arthur is a super patriotic semi-opera staged in 1691 by the english (and awesome) composer Henry Purcell (1659-1695). A semi-opera is closer to our modern musical play than to the opera: the principal characters are actors, not singers. The singing characters are the supernatural, pastoral or drunk ones, excepting the choruses in battles and ceremonies.

The libretto is loosely (veeeeeeeeeeeeery vaguely) based in the all known legend of the King Arthur, actually the only common things are the name of the king and the character of Merlin.

This story is about the rivalry between Arthur, king of the Britons and Oswald, Saxon king of Kent; they both wanna marry the blind daughter of the Duke of Cornwall, Emmeline. Saxons and Britons have a battle and the Britons sing in triumph. Oswald, his magician Osmond and his servant spirit Grimbald offer a sacrifice while realizing that another spirit, Philidel has betrayed them. Philidel joins Arthur and Merlin since he's gentle hearted and warns them that Grimbald in planning to deceive the Britons by leading them to drown in rivers or fall off cliffs. In the meantime, while shepherds entertain Emmelind and her attendant Matilda, Oswald makes his way to kidnap them.

Arthur and his men attack Oswald's castle but Osmond's magic is protecting it with a magical wood spell.  Osmond tries to seduce Emmelind using a masque of spirits and conjures a vision of winter ice land. Philidel guides Arthur through the wood and Grimbald warns Osmond that Merlin's spells are working. Arthur is seduced by singing sirens but he doesn't fall and by cutting the trees he breaks the wood spell. He and Philidel captures Grimbald. With the magic destroyed Oswald and Arthur have a last battle, winning Arthur and ordering the Saxons to return Germany 'cause the Britons "brook no foreign power". Finally Merlin casts a masque full of mythological characters and visions of the seas and Britain.
Yes, very patriotic and rather senseless stuff.

Second, The Cold Song.

This song is in the 3rd act and is sung by the Cold Genius while being woken by Cupid. Here the lyric:

"What power art thou, whom from bellow

hast made me rise unwillingly and slow

from beds of everlasting snow?

See'st thou not how stiff and wondrous old,

far unfit to bear the bitter cold,

I can scarcely mode or draw my breath?

Let me, let me freeze again to death."

This scene is called "The frost scene" and here the Cold Genius and Cupid (yes, I know, where did they came from?! It doesn't matter, they just appear) have some argue while he wakes the Cold Genius who is very reluctant to awake but finally even he with the coldest heart acknowledges the power of love. Apparently this winter scene that comes from no kind of reason in the play was inspired by the Thames Frost fairs during the 1680's severe winters.

Third, let's listen a couple versions of this song:

This one is sung by a bass (like in the Prada catwalk and the origianl version).

Thomas de Vres, Ensamble Mattiacis, 2008

And this other is by one of my favorite singers ever. WARNING-> this guy is a countretenor, so it might look odd looking at him singing like that. But he's a master in antique music AND in Purcell.

Andreas Scholl, Accademia Bizantina, 2010

Now, you tell me why did Miccia chose this song for the catwalk? (you can do so in the comments section).

links, links links!

Finally you're finished with this post (officially the longest one!) and if still wanna know more about this music, I leave you some links:

• You can read the full libretto HERE, in english.
• You can watch some highlights of the semi-opera HERE, in english with english subtitles (sounds odd but you'll get it when you watch it), this funny-odd-quirky version was presented at the 2004 Salzburg festivale.
• Read the full act-by-act synopsis HERE.
• Read the biography of Henry Purcell by the bbc HERE.
• A little glimpse from Web History of England of the Frost Fairs in the Thames HERE.

Die Frau Ohne Schatten

El domingo pasado fue la última función de la ópera de Strauss "Die Frau Ohne Schatten" (La Mujer sin Sombra) en el Palacio de Bellas Artes aquí en la Ciudad de México,
He andado TAN cansada desde que empezaron los ensayos y luego las únicas 4 funciones que ésta última me ha dejado un sabor extraño, un poco triste porque ya se ha terminado pero un poco feliz porque finalmente puedo dormir de nuevo como la gente decente (el que las funciones terminen a las 11 en jueves y martes no está tan padre ¿saben?)

Last Sunday was the last performance of the Strauss opera "Die Frau Ohne Schatten" (The woman without shadow) at the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Palace) here in Mexico City.

I've been SO tired since the rehearsals and then the only 4 performances that I have the strangest sensation for this last performance. Something like feeling sad 'cause now it's over, but also happy 'cause I'll be able to sleep again (performance ending at 11 p.m. on tuesday is not so cool, you know?).

Como sea, si te perdiste ésta ópera veo muy difícil que la encuentres montada otra vez en muuuuuuuuuucho tiempo ya que es muy grande y complicada y... bueno, es igual de difícil a que monten de nuevo el ciclo del anillo de Wagner de por allá del 2010. De hecho ésta vez fue el mismo productor (Sergio Vela) quien parece tener un ojo especial para las óperas grandes y harto sonoras.

Anyway if you didn't see this opera is very hard that it'd be on stage again in a looooooong time since it's very complicated and big and long and... well, it's as hard as performing again the Ring cycle that was performed in 2010. Actually it's the same productor (Sergio Vela) who seems to have a special eye for the big and loud operas.

Por primera vez el coro en el que canto participa en una ópera profesional y siendo esta con la Compañía Nacional de Ópera, pues es genial. Tristemente esta vez no les puedo dejar una reseña de la ópera (porque básicamente no la vi), pero les dejo una pequeña sinopsis, el reparto y la advertencia de que esto es como un cuento de hadas:

For the very first time the choir I sing in appeared in an profesional opera, and it being with the National Opera Company, well it's just awesome. Sadly for this time I cannot write a review (since I didn't see this performances) but I leave you a little synopsis, the main cast and crew and the warning that the story is fairytale-like:

Al andar cazando el Emperador captura una gacela que se convierte en una mujer con la que se casa. Ella es la hija de Keikobad (el rey de los espíritus) y se convierte en una mujer sin sombra (o sea que no puede tener hijos). Después de un tiempo ella se da cuenta de que su padre ha decretado que si después de 12 lunas ella no consigue una sombra, tendrá que volver con él y el Emperador se convertirá en piedra.
Eso es solo el plot de la historia, si quieres leer más sobre ella da CLIC AQUÍ.
Si no fuiste a las funciones puedes verla AQUÍ a tu propio ritmo (o sea no tienes que estar sentado 4 horas). Esa es una producción de 1992 inspirada en el Kabuki, conducida por Wolfgang Sawallish y dirigida por Ennosuke Ichikawa.

The Emperor while hunting captured a gazelle who turned into a woman and got married with her. She is the daughter of Keikobad (the king of the spirits) and becomes a woman without shadow (that means she's cannot bear children). After a time she realizes that after her father decree she has to gain a shadow before the end of the 12th moon or she'll have to return to her father and the Emperor will turn into stone. 

This is just the plot for the opera, if you wanna read some more about it CLICK HERE.

Did you not go to this performances? Well you can watch at your own rhythm (that is, you don't have to sit still for 4 hours) this amazing 1992 Kabuki inspired production HERE conducted by Wolfgang Sawallish and directed by Ennosuke Ichikawa.

Finalmente, no tomé fotos para que pudieran ver la producción mexicana, pero hice todos estos sketches rápidos mientras esperaba la llamada a escena. Todos estos los tienen los retratados. ¿A poco no me quedaron súper lindos?

Finally, I didn't take photos for you to look at the mexican production, but I made all this fast sketches while waiting for the stage calling. I don't have any of them, now they are with their portrayed performers. Aren't they awesome? 

The Two

The Two

Vogue Korea, January 2012

Photography Gang Hye Won / Styling Han Yeon Gu / Hair and Makeup Kim Hwan / Models (dancers) Hwang Hye Min, Eom Jae Yong

marc by Marc Jacobs

¿Uno cómo puede empezar a hablar de la colección de primavera 2012 de marc by Marc Jacobs?
Bueno, yo empezaría con un "la amo" seguida por el todos conocido "Marc es uno de mis diseñadores favoritos" y después la verdad absoluta "estoy muy prendada de esta marca y no puedo dejar de comprar cosas de las que me enamoro". Ahora se supone que yo diría lo que más me gustó de la colección, como "NECESITO todas y cada una de las piezas de rayas y en el estampado de aves sobre azul marino" y luego diría que "todas las siluetas son perfectamente usables y cómodas (como siempre) y que no hace un uso excesivo del peplum como en muchas otras colecciones". Después de eso terminaría exaltando mi amor al diseñador con algo como "Marc siempre me sorprende y es justo esta la colección que más espero de NY, él NUNCA me decepciona".
Eso es lo que escribiría en un post, pero ustedes ya saben todo eso, así que les dejo un .gif de la colección.

How can one start talking about the spring 2012 marc by Marc Jacobs collection?
Well, I'd begin with an "I love it" followed by the all known "Marc is one of my very favorite designers" and then the absolute truth "I am deeply into this brand and I can't stop buying stuff I fall in love with". Now I'd be suposed to say what I loved the most about the collection, like "I NEED each and every striped piece and the birdie print on navy fabric" and after that I'd say "all the silhouettes are perfectly wearable and comfortable (as always) and there is no exessive use of the peplum like in many other collections". After that I would finaly exalt my love for the designer with a "Marc always surprises me and this is the very collection I expect the most from NY and he NEVER dissapoints me".
I would write that for a post, but you already know all that, so I leave you a .gif of the collection.

Eungyo Trap

Inspirados en la nueva película de Jeon ji Woo basada en la popular novela de Park Beom Si apareció esta pequeña editorial y un artículo en Vogue Korea con los dos protagonistas del filme. La historia es sobre un poeta de más de 70 años que sostiene una relación con una chica de 17 que encuentra tan inspiradora que decide escribir un libro sobre ella, pero su alumno más brillante le roba el trabajo literario y también se obsesiona con la chica.
Muero por verla. Por leer el libro no, porque básicamente no leo coreano.

Inspired in the upcoming movie "A Muse" (Eungyo) directed by Jeon Ji Woo based in the popular novel by Park Beom Si, comes this little editorial and article on Vogue Korea with the two stars of the film.
The story is about a poet in his 70's who has a relationship with a 17 year old girl and he finds this so inspiring that he writes a novel about her, but his best student becomes obsessed with the girl too and steals his literary work.
Can't for watch the movie. I'm not for reading the book, basically because I do not read korea. Sad but true.

Eungyo Trap

Vogue Korea, May 2012

Photography Bo Ri / Styling Choe Yu Rim / Makeup Choe Si No / Hair Cha Hong / Models Kim Ko Eun, Park Hae Il

Les dejo el trailer de la peli.
I leave you the movie trailer.

What I talk about when I talk about what I'm talking about

"What I talk about when I talk about running"

black fine sharpie and digital colour

ADVERTENCIA este no es un post real, es solo algo raro que me pasó hoy.
Hoy en la tarde iba hacia casa en el tren derritiéndome el cerebro con k-pop y leyendo mi libro de la semana. De repente el señor-adulto-mayor-de-sombrero que venía sentado junto a mi me preguntó (en inglés):
"¿Qué estás leyendo?"
Le respondí "What I talk about when I talk about running". Me miró como si me burlara de él, pero no. Así que añadí que el autor es Haruki Murakami. Por alguna razón los hombres con sombrero y buen gusto me inspiran confianza.
"Y ¿tú corres?" Le dije que no. "Entonces ¿Por qué lees ese libro?" Murakami corre en las mañanas y en éste libro habla de la actividad de correr pero el libro no trata SOBRE correr, si no de las cosas (según él) relacionadas a correr, le dije.
Él dijo que corre todas las mañanas, que es un jogger. Yo dije que mejor camino. Me preguntó que en dónde estudié inglés. En la escuela. ¿Aquí en México? Ajá. ¿Desde cuándo? La primaria. Tienes un buen acento. Bueno, gracias.
Dijo que correr lo mantiene concentrado y fresco. Yo dije que prefiero algo más silencioso y estricto, como el ballet o el yoga.
Y entonces seguimos hablando de lo que Murakami habla cuando habla sobre correr.


WARNING this is not a real post, only something odd that happened today.
Today afternoon I was on the train back home listening to some brain-melting k-pop and reading this week book. Suddenly the hat-wearer old man sitting next to me asked me (in english):
"What are you reading?"
I answered "What I talk about when I talk about running." He looked at me as if I told him a joke, but I did not. So I added that the author was Haruki Murakami. Somehow men with hats and good taste make me trust.
"Do you run?" I said no. "Then why are you reading that book?" Murakami runs in the mornings and in this book he talks about the fact of running but the book is not ABOUT running but about the things related (according to him) to running, I answered.
He said he runs every morning, that he's a jogger. I said that I rather walk. He asked where did I study english. At school. Here in Mexico? Yeah. Since when? Since elementary school. You have a great accent. Well, thank you.
He said that running keeps him focused and fresh. I said I liked better something silent and strict, like ballet or even yoga.
And we kept talking about what Murakami talks when he talks about running.

Disconnected

AMO a Keane. Es definitivamente una de mis bandas favoritas ever con su sonido limpio y dulce voz. Para su nuevo álbum regresaron a su viejo sonido. Pero más bonito.
El álbum "Strangeland" estará disponible el 7 de mayo en iTunes o Amazon.
Les dejo su último sencillo "Disconnected".
Y opinen: ¿les gusta tanto como a mi?

I LOVE Keane. Definitely one of my favorite bands ever with their clean sound and sweet voice. For this new album they are back to their basic old sound. But even prettier.
The album "Strangeland" will be available on May 7th on iTunes or Amazon.
Here their last single "Disconnected".
And leave your opinion: Do you like it as much as I do?

Disconnected

Keane

Strangeland, 2012

Pretty Powder

Quiero que mi vida se vea así.
Es todo lo que voy a decir.

I want my life to look like this.
That's all what I'll say.

"Room in Powdery Colors"

Vogue Girl Korea, April 2012.

Photography An Ji Sam / Styling Ju Ga Eun / Makeup Keon Ho Suk / Hair I Seon Young / Model Eom Yu Jeong

Short Hairstyle

Les dejo unos cortes de pelo ahí random que me gustan y probablemente tenga pronto. Alguno de ellos. Al menos.
¿Y a ustedes como creen que debería cortarle el pelo? Aun no puedo elegir mi favorito.

Well, here some totally random hairstyles I love and probably will have soon. One of them. At least.
Now let me ask you: How should I cut my hair? I cannot pick my favorite.

My favs at Milan

De las colecciones de caballero en Milán he aquí 3 de mis favoritas: Burberry Prorsum, Nicole Fahri y Z Zegna:

From the Milan menswear collections here are 3 of my very favorite ones: Burberry Prorsum, Nicole Fahri and Z Zegna:

"My Milan favs, Spring 2012"

Super fine Sharpie and design markers on my brand new Fashionary sketchbook (courtesy of Moda Studio Supplies).

Burberry Prorsum

¿A poco no aman los colores medios, estampado étnicos, las aplicaciones y los GENIALES sombreritos? Además tuvieron soundtrack de Muse en el desfile. Soy fan.

Don't you love the mid-colours, ethnic graphics, appliqués and the AWESOME hats? Moreover Muse sounded at the catwalk. I'm such a fan.

Ve el desfile en su website./Watch the catwalk at their website.

Nicole Farhi

Prendas con estructuras súper ligeras en telas principalmente blancas con un llamativo pop mostaza.

Super light structured garments with fabrics mostly white with a bright mustard pop.

Visita su website./Check out their website.

Z Zegna

Sastrería juvenil para toda ocasión en blanco, negro, café, azul y estampados.

Blue, brown, white, black and printed all occasion youthful tailoring.

Mira el lookbook y el desfile en su website./Check out the lookbook and the catwalk at their website.